If there’s one thing Jim Suber, marina and waterways coordinator and dockmaster for Jacksonville knows, it’s the City’s waterways.
Suber has spent his entire life on the water. He grew up on the Northside of Jacksonville boating, water skiing and swimming in the Ribault River. Suber later worked for the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office specifically with the marine unit, for 35 years.
Suber says he enjoys his current position because it’s both rewarding and challenging.
“I like the job for several reasons,” he says. “It gives me an opportunity to stay on the water, which I’ve always loved, and work with the waterfronts. But it’s also challenging because we have to work with and comply with so many different departments in the city.”
Suber and others have been working closely with the Jacksonville Reef Research Team building reefs offshore.
“This summer we received 21 permits to build them offshore,” he says. “It’s an astronomical task.”
It may be an astronomical task, but rewarding for sure.
“Just like limerock, reefs create and help continue the circle of life,” Suber says.
Another accomplishment and improvement for Suber and his department has been cleaning up the St. Johns River.
“We’ve been working with the St. Johns Riverkeeper and have made a lot of headway solving the nutrient problem,” he says. “It’s a crown jewel of a river. We have to help people enjoy it.”
There are several Downtown projects Suber’s been busy working on.
“We’re in the middle of putting power and water on the docks at Metropolitan Park so that we can bring more transient boaters here and give them more access,” Suber says.
He also talks of future viewsheds along both the North and South banks and more boat ramps in the Downtown area.
“We want to create more opportunities and events for citizens and visitors to get out on the water,” he says.
Part of Suber’s job is actually helping to coordinate those events.
According to Suber, the event that brings the heaviest boating traffic is hands-down, Florida-Georgia weekend and Fourth of July follows in as a close second.
When the Sea & Sky Spectacular comes to Jacksonville in November, Suber says he’s planning to bring naval ships to dock Downtown as well as set up military displays. This, he hopes will bring even more people out to experience the St. Johns River, the radiant crown jewel of our city.